Campus prepared for blackouts
March 28, 2001
Californians continue to sit on the edge of their seats in hope that the lights will stay on in their homes and businesses for yet another day.
Sacramento State has yet to be hit by the rolling blackouts this semester, but the administration has a plan in case the campus loses power.
Sac State released a plan on its Web site in January for procedures in a blackout. The plan outlines things that students, faculty and staff should be aware of in the event of a blackout on campus.
“Shelter in place is the best thing you could do in a short term blackout,” said Ann Reed from the office of Public Affairs. “This would mean staying where you are and waiting until the power [comes] back on.”
The plan that Sac State has outlined includes having one administrator on duty in the evening hours and emergency building coordinators for each building on campus. There is also an office of emergency evening services in place to coordinate and oversee any blackouts that might occur after 5 p.m.
“The administrator on duty in the evening is there in case any major decision [needs] to be made concerning the campus,” said Reed.
The blackout plan also includes a warning for people to stay off the elevators when possible during a Stage 3 power alert because the elevators could stop without warning. If people do become trapped in an elevator, they should use the emergency phone inside and follow the instructions given.
Students, faculty or staff that might be physically handicapped and become trapped on an upper story of a building should first use the shelter in place action according to the plan. If evacuation is necessary, a building coordinator will begin to form a human assistance tree to help anyone that might need help when exiting the building.
“Issues of personal assistance in an evacuation would be dealt with on an individual basis,” said Reed.
While Sac State has a plan in place for the event of a blackout, it has not been tested to see how well it will work. Students and faculty can only hope that it will not need to be tested in the near future.
